About the Book: Beliefs and Social Intelligence guides readers to become more aware of the power and complexity of beliefs and social influences in their everyday lives. Our social intelligence, the sum total of this understanding, shows us how our beliefs are related to our families, social classes, cultures, and societies, as well as how we can change our beliefs and ourselves. Increasing our social intelligence brings more meanings and purposes into our lives and makes us more discerning about the beliefs we hold. Gradually, as we become more socially intelligent, we become freer and more independent in our beliefs, as well as more effective in contributing to the common good. We gain the courage needed to let go of our most contradictory or unproductive beliefs and nurture those beliefs we truly choose as our own. Continuing to build our social intelligence-for a lifetime-makes us and our beliefs stronger and healthier. Furthermore, because social intelligence is learned rather than innate, we understand how to pass this valuable know-how to others, especially to the youngest members of our families and other members of the next generations. About the Author: C. Margaret Hall is Professor of Sociology in the Sociology and Anthropology Department, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. In addition to research and teaching, she has practiced clinical sociology in a variety of settings. Hall was born and raised in the north of England. She married a U.S. citizen, and after living in London, Paris, Brussels, and New York, she moved to Washington, D.C. She and her husband have three married daughters and seven grandchildren. Beliefs and Social Intelligence shows readers the power andcomplexity of beliefs and social influences. Social intelligence deepens our understanding of how beliefs relate to families, social classes, cultures, and societies, and of how to change our beliefs and ourselves.